Follow the latest news updates following the sudden death of a baby in Pontyberem

There have been 10,225 Alaskan malamutes registered with the Kennel Club over the past 10 years, to December 31 2013. In 2013 there were 851 registered with the club.

Examples of the breed were first registered with the club in 1971, though this date might not be the same as when they first were brought into the country.

8:22 pm

Alaskan malamute dogs are large and powerful, but have kind, affectionate natures, an expert said today.

"They often live in family situations and are extremely loyal," said Bill Lambert, health and breeder services manager for The Kennel Club, the governing body for the world of dogs.

He was not aware of any incidents where an Alaskan malamute had harmed a child, and if it turned out that this had happened here, it would be a surprise.

He confirmed that the breed is not listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act, adding: "The list demonises certain breeds of dog, and we have to look far deeper than that. The Dangerous Dogs Act is all about the appearance of the dog, and actually ownership and training of the dog is more important. Any large, powerful dog does have the capacity to cause harm."

7:20 pm

The Kennel Club has tonight issued a statement following Eliza-Mae Mullane's death today.

"Whilst we do not know the circumstances regarding this terrible incident our general advice to families is to ensure that young children and dogs are always supervised when together, regardless of the breed. This is particularly important when a new born baby is brought into a household.

“It is critical that people buying a puppy go to a responsible breeder, such as a Kennel Club Assured Breeder, who will have socialised their pups properly and that this is continued throughout the dog’s life.

“Any dog breed can be a wonderful pet or potentially dangerous in the wrong hands, which is why it is critical to have the correct training and socialisation. Alaskan Malamutes can be good pets for the right people but their rapid increase in popularity has largely been fuelled by fashion, with too many people failing to do their research or to understand the amount of training and exercise that they require.”

6:21 pm

The family of Eliza-Mae Mullane are now been looked after by specially-trained family liaison officers.

As reported by ITV News, Chief Inspector Ieuan Matthews, of Dyfed Powys Police, said: "As you can imagine, the family are hugely distressed."

5:40 pm

The dog involved in the baby's death was an Alaskan Malamute .

The Alaskan Malamute Club of the United Kingdom describes the breed as a "affectionate, friendly, loyal, devoted companion" on its website.

Sharon was shaking in terror when she spoke to neighbour Patricia Punter just minutes after police were called to her home in a quiet Welsh country village at breakfast time.

Patricia, 71, said: "It was terrible - I've never heard anything like it. Sharon was in a state of shock and just screaming.

"She just kept on saying: "The dog ate my baby's head. He's blaming me for it - the baby's gone."

Sharon had the Husky-like Alaskan Malamute called Nisha after her partner Patric Mullane, 33, brought it home from a night out at the pub.

Mrs Punter said: "They'd had the dog for a few months because Pat is really soft for dogs.

"He brought it home from the pub because someone had told him they were going to get rid of it.

"Nisha was about five or six years old but looked older. I think it may have badly treated in the past.

"God only knows what has gone on in there. But Sharon was in bits - she was with a policeman and they wouldn't let her back into the house.

"She came into my house to use the toilet and that's when she told me what happened to the baby.

"She'd only brought the baby home in the last week. It is just awful - they loved their dogs as much as their children."

Sharon has two other children Harley, five, and Lily-Rose, three, in their terraced house in the village of Pontyberem, near Carmarthen, South Wales.

The family also have another pet dog, a terrier called Roxy, who was later being looked after by Mrs Punter.

Scrap metal dealer Patric and Sharon were taken away from their home to be interviewed by police.

Nisha was seized by police investigating the tragic death.

3:24 pm

Neighbours have told The Sun that the dog was brought to the family home by Patrick Mullane, believed to be the baby's father, and that they had the dog for a few months before today's tragedy.

Another neighbour told the paper that she caught the dog in the street and handed it over to police.

She described it as a "big dog and white around the mouth" but added that she "didn't see anything that caught my eye to say anything had gone on".

3:09 pm

The 6 day old baby from Pontyberem who tragically died this morning has been named as Eliza-Mae Mullane.

3:05 pm

A neighbour has spoken about the horrific moment the mother of the six-day-old baby girl was killed.

According to The Sun, Sharon John, 42, screamed "The dog ate my baby's head" after discovering her body next to the dog called Nisha.

Neighbour Patricia Punter told the newspaper's Harry Hawkins: "It was terrible - I've never heard anything like it. Sharon was in a state of shock and just screaming."

The dog is believed to belong to Ms John's boyfriend, Patric Mullane, who bought it from someone who had said they wanted to get rid of it.

2:35 pm

To recap:

A baby girl whose death prompted police to seize the family dog was just six days old.

Dyfed Powys Police said the baby - who has not yet been named - died at the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff this morning, after emergency services were called to a home in Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire, Mid Wales.

Chief Inspector Ieuan Matthews said: "The baby girl was just six days old.

"Clearly, our sympathies are with the family at this tragic time and we have specialist officers who are supporting them. All I would ask is that you give them time and space to grieve.

"As far as our inquiries are concerned, the investigation is still at an early stage."

The exact nature of her injuries are unknown at the moment, but an ambulance service source described them as "terrible".

2:19 pm

Chief Inspector Ieuan Mathews said today: "As you know we are investigating the sudden death of a baby at a property in New Road, Pontyberem.

"The baby girl was just 6 days old.

"We were called by the Welsh Ambulance NHS Trust just before 8.30am this morning, and the baby was taken by heli-med to the Heath Hospital. Sadly she was later pronounced dead at University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff.

"The family dog – an Alaskan Malamute has been seized by Police in connection with the ongoing enquiry. I can confirm that this dog is not listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

"Clearly, our sympathies are with the family at this tragic time and we have specialist officers who are supporting them. All I would ask is that you give them time and space to grieve.

"As far as our enquiries are concerned, the investigation is still at an early stage."

1:47 pm

A source has said that the baby had suffered "terrible injuries" in the attack.

However, it is still not known if the child was bitten by the dog or died some other way.

Officials are also refusing to say whether the baby is a boy or a girl, nor are they currently releasing information about the baby's age.

1:45 pm

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We were called at 8.26am today, Tuesday February 18, to a medical emergency at a property in Pontyberem.

"We sent a paramedic in a rapid response vehicle, an emergency ambulance and the Helimed helicopter to the scene, and a baby was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales."

There have been 10,225 Alaskan malamutes registered with the Kennel Club over the past 10 years, to December 31 2013. In 2013 there were 851 registered with the club.

Examples of the breed were first registered with the club in 1971, though this date might not be the same as when they first were brought into the country.

8:22 pm

Alaskan malamute dogs are large and powerful, but have kind, affectionate natures, an expert said today.

"They often live in family situations and are extremely loyal," said Bill Lambert, health and breeder services manager for The Kennel Club, the governing body for the world of dogs.

He was not aware of any incidents where an Alaskan malamute had harmed a child, and if it turned out that this had happened here, it would be a surprise.

He confirmed that the breed is not listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act, adding: "The list demonises certain breeds of dog, and we have to look far deeper than that. The Dangerous Dogs Act is all about the appearance of the dog, and actually ownership and training of the dog is more important. Any large, powerful dog does have the capacity to cause harm."

7:20 pm

The Kennel Club has tonight issued a statement following Eliza-Mae Mullane's death today.

"Whilst we do not know the circumstances regarding this terrible incident our general advice to families is to ensure that young children and dogs are always supervised when together, regardless of the breed. This is particularly important when a new born baby is brought into a household.

“It is critical that people buying a puppy go to a responsible breeder, such as a Kennel Club Assured Breeder, who will have socialised their pups properly and that this is continued throughout the dog’s life.

“Any dog breed can be a wonderful pet or potentially dangerous in the wrong hands, which is why it is critical to have the correct training and socialisation. Alaskan Malamutes can be good pets for the right people but their rapid increase in popularity has largely been fuelled by fashion, with too many people failing to do their research or to understand the amount of training and exercise that they require.”

6:21 pm

The family of Eliza-Mae Mullane are now been looked after by specially-trained family liaison officers.

As reported by ITV News, Chief Inspector Ieuan Matthews, of Dyfed Powys Police, said: "As you can imagine, the family are hugely distressed."

5:40 pm

The dog involved in the baby's death was an Alaskan Malamute .

The Alaskan Malamute Club of the United Kingdom describes the breed as a "affectionate, friendly, loyal, devoted companion" on its website.

Sharon was shaking in terror when she spoke to neighbour Patricia Punter just minutes after police were called to her home in a quiet Welsh country village at breakfast time.

Patricia, 71, said: "It was terrible - I've never heard anything like it. Sharon was in a state of shock and just screaming.

"She just kept on saying: "The dog ate my baby's head. He's blaming me for it - the baby's gone."

Sharon had the Husky-like Alaskan Malamute called Nisha after her partner Patric Mullane, 33, brought it home from a night out at the pub.

Mrs Punter said: "They'd had the dog for a few months because Pat is really soft for dogs.

"He brought it home from the pub because someone had told him they were going to get rid of it.

"Nisha was about five or six years old but looked older. I think it may have badly treated in the past.

"God only knows what has gone on in there. But Sharon was in bits - she was with a policeman and they wouldn't let her back into the house.

"She came into my house to use the toilet and that's when she told me what happened to the baby.

"She'd only brought the baby home in the last week. It is just awful - they loved their dogs as much as their children."

Sharon has two other children Harley, five, and Lily-Rose, three, in their terraced house in the village of Pontyberem, near Carmarthen, South Wales.

The family also have another pet dog, a terrier called Roxy, who was later being looked after by Mrs Punter.

Scrap metal dealer Patric and Sharon were taken away from their home to be interviewed by police.

Nisha was seized by police investigating the tragic death.

3:24 pm

Neighbours have told The Sun that the dog was brought to the family home by Patrick Mullane, believed to be the baby's father, and that they had the dog for a few months before today's tragedy.

Another neighbour told the paper that she caught the dog in the street and handed it over to police.

She described it as a "big dog and white around the mouth" but added that she "didn't see anything that caught my eye to say anything had gone on".

3:09 pm

The 6 day old baby from Pontyberem who tragically died this morning has been named as Eliza-Mae Mullane.

3:05 pm

A neighbour has spoken about the horrific moment the mother of the six-day-old baby girl was killed.

According to The Sun, Sharon John, 42, screamed "The dog ate my baby's head" after discovering her body next to the dog called Nisha.

Neighbour Patricia Punter told the newspaper's Harry Hawkins: "It was terrible - I've never heard anything like it. Sharon was in a state of shock and just screaming."

The dog is believed to belong to Ms John's boyfriend, Patric Mullane, who bought it from someone who had said they wanted to get rid of it.

2:35 pm

To recap:

A baby girl whose death prompted police to seize the family dog was just six days old.

Dyfed Powys Police said the baby - who has not yet been named - died at the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff this morning, after emergency services were called to a home in Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire, Mid Wales.

Chief Inspector Ieuan Matthews said: "The baby girl was just six days old.

"Clearly, our sympathies are with the family at this tragic time and we have specialist officers who are supporting them. All I would ask is that you give them time and space to grieve.

"As far as our inquiries are concerned, the investigation is still at an early stage."

The exact nature of her injuries are unknown at the moment, but an ambulance service source described them as "terrible".

2:19 pm

Chief Inspector Ieuan Mathews said today: "As you know we are investigating the sudden death of a baby at a property in New Road, Pontyberem.

"The baby girl was just 6 days old.

"We were called by the Welsh Ambulance NHS Trust just before 8.30am this morning, and the baby was taken by heli-med to the Heath Hospital. Sadly she was later pronounced dead at University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff.

"The family dog – an Alaskan Malamute has been seized by Police in connection with the ongoing enquiry. I can confirm that this dog is not listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

"Clearly, our sympathies are with the family at this tragic time and we have specialist officers who are supporting them. All I would ask is that you give them time and space to grieve.

"As far as our enquiries are concerned, the investigation is still at an early stage."

1:47 pm

A source has said that the baby had suffered "terrible injuries" in the attack.

However, it is still not known if the child was bitten by the dog or died some other way.

Officials are also refusing to say whether the baby is a boy or a girl, nor are they currently releasing information about the baby's age.

1:45 pm

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We were called at 8.26am today, Tuesday February 18, to a medical emergency at a property in Pontyberem.

"We sent a paramedic in a rapid response vehicle, an emergency ambulance and the Helimed helicopter to the scene, and a baby was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales."